the motion of a pendulum can be modelled by the function x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t, where x is the horizontal displacement from the rest position, in centimetres, as a function of time, t, in seconds
Determine the length of the pendulum.

answer is 245 cm in the book, i want to know the steps, thanks

June 12th 2009, 05:01 PM

skeeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoman360

the motion of a pendulum can be modelled by the function x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t, where x is the horizontal displacement from the rest position, in centimetres, as a function of time, t, in seconds
Determine the length of the pendulum.

answer is 245 cm in the book, i want to know the steps, thanks

period of a pendulum,

solve for ...

calculate the value of

June 12th 2009, 05:36 PM

yoman360

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter

period of a pendulum,

solve for ...

calculate the value of

How do I find the length using x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t ???

June 12th 2009, 06:17 PM

skeeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoman360

How do I find the length using x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t ???

the only piece of information you can determine from the given position equation is the period of oscillation.

June 12th 2009, 06:20 PM

yoman360

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter

the only piece of information you can determine from the given position equation is the period of oscillation.

so basically x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t is pointless info

June 13th 2009, 04:03 AM

skeeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoman360

so basically x(t)=10cos(2t)*0.95^t is pointless info

not pointless ... but you cannot determine the length of the pendulum without the necessary equations of simple harmonic motion from physics.